Civil Engineer Scholar (Statewide Opportunities)

Title: Civil Engineer Scholar (Statewide Opportunities)

State Role Title: Engineering Technician II

Hiring Range: $22.00 - $29.00 (varies based on geographic area)

Pay Band: 3

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Old Hwy. Building

Agency Website: https://jobs.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

What drives you?  Whether it's knowing the work you do makes a difference, having a great work/life balance, working on exciting and challenging projects, leading innovation and championing change or simply working with a great group of people who are committed to professionalism. At the Virginia Department of Transportation, we have something for you.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is currently searching for the best and brightest Civil Engineering undergraduate students (rising juniors and rising seniors) to develop as VDOT engineering professionals through its Civil Engineering Scholarship Program (CESP). CESP provides a meaningful on-the-job learning experience, targeted training, coaching, and mentoring as a Civil Engineering Scholar through a structured approach to develop mission-critical technical skills and Teammate competencies. A semester stipend is included with employment.

SUMMER WORK EXPERIENCE

• Scholars will participate in a paid developmental work assignment during each summer from June until August.

• As a pipeline to the EDGE Program, Scholars will complete one rotational experience during the summer that will satisfy the requirements of the EDGE Program, which will provide advanced standing and the opportunity to complete training requirements on an advanced schedule.

• Some of the rotational areas that Scholars can choose from include Structure and Bridge, Location and Design, Environmental, Construction, Traffic Engineering and Residency Operations among others.

SEMESTER STIPEND

• A $3,500 stipend is awarded to Scholars at the beginning of each Fall and Spring semester.

• These funds are not gift-aid and will not conflict with gift-aid scholarships or other financial aid.

• No more than four stipend payments will be awarded to any one Scholar.

FOR STIPEND ELIGIBILITY

• Scholars must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale throughout the duration of the program.

• Scholars must maintain satisfactory program performance standards and expectations as outlined in the Scholar Contract.

AFTER GRADUATION EMPLOYMENT

• Upon graduation, the Scholar is placed in VDOT's Engineering Development and Growth Experience (EDGE) Program as a Civil Engineering Associate, which is a full-time classified civil engineering position with benefits.

• The mission of the EDGE Program is to develop recent engineer graduates as VDOT professionals and future leaders.

• EDGE associates complete a two-year rotation program with meaningful on-the-job learning experiences, targeted training and engaged coaches and mentors to foster the development of mission-critical technical skills and leadership.

• Scholars are required to commit to six months of employment at VDOT for every $3,500 stipend awarded during undergraduate study.

This job announcement is a continuous recruitment with multiple job locations through the Commonwealth of Virginia based on business need. Visit http://www.virginiadot.org/about/districts.asp for more information about the locations available.

VDOT is responsible for building, maintaining and operating the state's roads, bridges, tunnels and ferry systems. Through the Commonwealth Transportation Board, VDOT also provides funding for airports, rail and public transportation. Virginia has the third largest state-maintained highway system in the country, employing just over 7,000 employees across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

VDOT is an Equal Opportunity Employer by both policy and practice. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. It is the intent of VDOT's employment and personnel practices to conform to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding non-discrimination.

VDOT employees have Shared Values and a Code of Ethics. http://www.virginiadot.org/about/missionandvalues.asp. We encourage all those who apply to review these values and ethics. If you share our values, we invite you to apply. Your success in our organization depends upon sharing these values and keeping this Code of Ethics.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age by the start of employment.

• Be a rising junior or rising senior undergraduate student participating in an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) civil engineering, civil engineering technology or related engineering program as of June 2024.

• Possess and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on 4.0 scale.

• Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester while a stipend recipient within the program.

• Maintain residency in Virginia or attend an accredited civil engineering program in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

• Have a basic knowledge of engineering principles.

• Have the ability to use computer and software applications.

Additional Considerations

Successful candidates will have demonstrated academic excellence in their major program and be motivated, customer-focused and action-oriented individuals with a drive for learning on the job and achieving results. You will have demonstrated the ability to make quality and timely decisions, take initiative, communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, prioritize and organize multiple demands in a continuously changing environment, use computer and software applications, and can meet established deadlines. Ability to anticipate problems, provide solutions, follow instructions, learn quickly and collaborate with teammates. In addition, preferred candidates will have:

• Experience in roadway transportation.

• Experience in design technology, interpreting technical plans and specifications.

• Experience in roadway design and geometric design applications.

Special Instructions

• You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

• A resume and an unofficial transcript reflecting the required cumulative GPA and proof of CURRENT enrollment must be submitted.

• A secure electronic or sealed official transcript will be required if the candidate is selected for employment.

• Students who are transferring from a community college to a college or university for their junior year (3rd year) should provide their final community college transcript and their letter of acceptance to their new institution reflecting they will be enrolled in an ABET accredited program as an attachment to their application.

• Selected candidates will start their scholar employment in the Summer of 2024. The official start date will be determined at the time of the offer.

• All selected Scholars will have a contractual agreement with VDOT that must be signed on or before the first day of employment and agree to begin a Civil Engineering career with the Virginia Department of Transportation.

• EDGE Program following successful completion of undergraduate studies.

• Note that the candidate cannot defer VDOT employment to pursue a graduate degree.

• Based on interest, business need, and available funding, students may have the opportunity to continue working during the academic year.

• Some Scholar positions may require unrestricted mobility in irregular terrain, work in an outdoor environment, and the ability to lift, bend and stand for long periods of time.

• Assignments may include requirements to wear personal protective equipment (hard hat, safety vest, safety boots, etc.) and the ability to work from heights (may include requirements to wear fall protection equipment).

• This position is not eligible for telework.

• Housing and relocation are not provided.

• U.S. work authorization required. This position requires the successful candidate to be authorized to work for any employer in the United States without need for employment-based sponsorship now or in the future. VDOT is not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa (e.g., H1B) for the selected candidate for this position.

• This position requires a fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check, DMV Record Check and Work History Verification with references.

• VDOT utilizes a market based pay program, which has been approved by DHRM. Therefore, advertised rates of pay may or may not align with the Commonwealth pay bands.

• VDOT is an emergency operation agency. Positions physically working within district boundaries, including those that administratively report to Central Office, may be assigned to emergency response duties at the discretion of the District Engineer or Administrator.

• VDOT is a "Virginia Values Veterans" (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application. VDOT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information, please visit "Information for VDOT Employees and Applicants" at: http://www.virginiadot.org/jobs/information_for_employees.asp.

• The position you are applying for is an Hourly/Wage position. Hourly (wage) employees may not work more than an average of 29 hours a week and cannot exceed 1500 hours the wage employment year (5/1 - 4/30). This position does not include health insurance, retirement or paid leave benefits.

• Additional positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days.

Contact Information

Name: Logan Sanchez

Phone: (804) 807-3482

Email: logan.sanchez@vdot.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.